Rugby club seeks business support to continue

Request for help: Reading Raiders are looking for business support to ensure they can continue to compete in the West of England League

READING RAIDERS are seeking new sponsors ahead of the 2018 season.

Businesses across Berkshire are being encouraged to invest into the only open-age rugby league side in the county to help them raise funds to compete in the West of England League.

The club was formed in 2016 and has two successful seasons on the pitch, but suffered a huge financial blow when their main sponsor pulled out in November 2017.

Raiders now face a race to gain the funds in time to join the league, with the end of March being the final cut-off.

“Since forming in 2016, we have slowly built up a rugby league culture and this momentum convinced the committee that we would be ready to take the leap and join the West of England League in 2018,” said chairman Andrew Belt.

“We have worked very hard to get to this point and as recently as October, I met with our sponsor and we discussed how we would continue the sponsorship this season.

“Subsequently, I received an email saying they would now not sponsor us, although no explanation was given.

“This decision was unexpected and, just when it looked like we would be making the next forward step as a club, we may have to scale back our operations and the momentum created could stall.

“We would still dearly love to compete in the West of England League and I hope that any companies in or around Berkshire who would like to see rugby league prosper in the county will get in touch, so we can discuss the possibilities to suit both parties.”

If you would like to offer advice or discuss sponsorship opportunities and be sent the Raiders’ 2018 sponsorship brochure, then contact Mr Belt on readingroyalsrlfc@gmail.com